BSc (Hons) Biology with Foundation Year

Program Details

Degree: Bachelors
Major: Biology | Biotechnology | Botany
Area of study: Natural Science
Timing: Full time
Course Language: English

Intakes

Program start date

Sep 1, 2027

Program Overview

Why study this course with LJMU?

Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology
Offers a range of optional modules such as Genes and Genomes, Developmental Biology, Immunology and Medical Microbiology and Neurobiology
Opportunity for self-funded overseas field expedition – possible destination is Doñana National Park, Spain*
Stepping stone to careers in diverse fields such as genetics, microbiology, embryology, clinical science, radiography and environmental sciences
Option to choose between a year's work placement or a 135 hour work-based learning placement
£6 million invested in state-of-the-art teaching facilities
95% of students surveyed said the teaching staff on this course were good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2024)
94% of students surveyed said academic support was good or very good (National Student Survey 2024)

About your course

The professionally-accredited BSc (Hons) Biology with Foundation Year programme at Liverpool John Moores University opens up the fascinating subject of biology, providing a core understanding of biological theory and practical skills.

About the Foundation Year

The Foundation Year is ideal if you have the ability to study for a degree but don't have the qualifications to enter directly onto the Biology honours degree programme. Once you pass the Foundation Year you will progress directly onto the first year of the honours degree. If you are a full-time UK student, you will qualify for student financial support for the full duration of your course (subject to eligibility criteria).

About BSc (Hons) Biology

At LJMU, we recognise that biology encompasses a wide range of fascinating subject areas. That's why our first-year curriculum is designed to give you a broad foundation - allowing you to explore different fields and discover where your true interests lie. In the first year, you will typically cover core modules in Genetics and Evolution, Microbiology, Physiology, Ecology, Practical Skills for Biology and Fundamentals of Scientific Research.

In your second and third years, you have the flexibility to either maintain a broad-based approach, or tailor your degree by selecting from a wide range of optional modules across diverse biological topics. These include: Genes and Genomes, Immunology and Medical Microbiology, Marine and Freshwater Biology, Neurobiology, Forensic Bioscience and Parasitology.

All students will partake in a core residential UK field trip in the first year* and will also have the opportunity to take part in an advanced field skills expedition during the final year optional module. The possible destination is the Doñana National Park, Spain, where you can learn ecological and behavioural field work skills.

You have the opportunity to undertake a short (4-6 week) work-based placement or a 12-month placement with a relevant organisation in the UK or abroad. This will not only give you a chance to put into practice what you have learnt in the first two years, it will also help you develop your personal skills and add real value to your CV. Many students who undertake placements have gone on to work for the same organisation after they graduate.

Course modules

Foundation Year

Skills and Perspectives in Science 1 (20 credits)
Wildlife Studies (20 credits)
Skills and Perspectives in Science 2 (20 credits)
Anatomy and Physiology (20 credits)
Understanding the Environment (20 credits)
Building Blocks of Life (20 credits)

Year 1

Microbiology (20 credits)
Fundamentals of Scientific Research (20 credits)
Practical Skills for Biology (20 credits)
Genetics and Evolution (20 credits)
Ecology (20 credits)
Physiology (20 credits)

Year 2

Research Skills and Employability (20 credits)
Diversity and Evolution of Life (20 credits)
Physiology of Life (20 credits)
Optional modules:
- Immunology and medical microbiology (20 credits)
- Ecology Field Skills (20 credits)
- Genes and Genomes (20 credits)
- Marine and Freshwater Biology (20 credits)
- Developmental Biology (20 credits)
- Sandwich Year - Biology (120 credits)
- Study Year Abroad - Biology (120 credits)
- Study Semester Abroad - Biology (60 credits)
- Impact of Climate Change on Biological Processes (20 credits)

Year 3

Research Project (40 credits)
Health and Disease (20 credits)
Optional modules:
- Clinical immunology and medical microbiology (20 credits)
- Applications of Genetics in Health and Disease (20 credits)
- Frontiers of Ecology (20 credits)
- Advanced Field Skills Expedition (20 credits)
- Neurobiology (20 credits)
- Parasitology (20 credits)
- Applied Marine Biology (20 credits)
- Forensic Bioscience (20 credits)
- Neuroendocrinology (20 credits)
- Work-Based Learning (20 credits)

Professional accreditation

This programme has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology following an independent and rigorous assessment. Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and key skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of employers.

Your Learning Experience

Teaching Support Assessment
Excellent facilities and learning resources
Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support

Career paths

Completing this BSc Biology programme will open up a vast range of career opportunities.

Biology graduates have gone into employment in a wide range of roles, including clinical science, embryology, research and development laboratories, microbiological food and water safety or ecological roles. Our graduates work at a number of organisations including: the NHS (various roles including the Scientist Training Programme), Astra Zeneca, Unilever, UK Health Security Agency, Axion Veterinary Laboratories, Francis Crick Institute, MedImmune, Eurofins Forensics, Elucigene Diagnostics, The Christie Hospital; conservation organisations including Chester Zoo, Brecknock Wildlife Trust and Operation Wallacea; and environmental agencies, such as Natural England and Kingfisher Environmental Services. Some prefer to continue their studies with postgraduate study (PGCE/PGDE, MSc, MPhil, MRes or PhD) in topics as wide ranging as human nutrition, oncology, molecular medicine, tropical medicine and embryology, or others go into teaching and lecturing.

Tuition fees and funding

Home: £9,535 per year
International: £18,250 per year
Placement year: £1,905 (Home), £3,830 (International)

Entry requirements

GCSEs: Grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics/Numeracy
A levels: DDD-CDD
BTECs: Extended Diploma MMP
Access awards: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
International Baccalaureate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
OCR Cambridge Technical: Extended Diploma MMP
Irish awards: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
T levels: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

How to apply

UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses.
Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here.

Program Outline

It provides a broad-based foundation in biology, allowing students to explore various specialisms before specializing. The program is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, ensuring graduates meet defined learning outcomes in subject knowledge, technical ability, and transferable skills.

Objectives:

The program aims to:

Provide a core understanding of biological theory and practical skills.
Offer opportunities to study a variety of specialisms, including genetics, microbiology, neurobiology, development, and ecology.
Equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful career in diverse fields related to biology.
Prepare students for postgraduate study in various biological disciplines.

Outline:

Foundation Year:

Designed for students who have the ability to study for a degree but lack the qualifications for direct entry into the Biology honors degree program.
Upon successful completion, students progress directly to the first year of the honors degree.

BSc (Hons) Biology:

Year 1:

Focuses on core modules covering Genetics and Evolution, Microbiology, Physiology, Ecology, Practical Skills for Biology, and Fundamentals of Scientific Research.

Year 2 & 3:

Students can choose to continue with a broad-based degree or specialize by selecting optional modules from a wide range of topics, including:
Genes and Genomes
Immunology
Medical Microbiology
Developmental Biology
Ecology Field Skills
Marine and Freshwater Biology
Applications of Genetics in Health and Disease
Includes a core residential UK field trip in Level 4 and an optional advanced field skills expedition in Level 6, potentially in Doñana National Park, Spain.
Students can choose between a short 135-hour work-based learning placement or a year-long industrial placement.

Modules:

Level 3:

Skills and Perspectives in Science 1 (20 credits): Develops basic knowledge and research skills, covering scientific perspectives, writing, data handling, and statistical analysis.
Wildlife Studies (20 credits): Provides a broad overview of disciplines within wildlife studies.
Skills and Perspectives in Science 2 (20 credits): Covers modern scientific issues, topical subjects in biology, chemistry, and related areas, and develops academic, research, and transferable skills.
Anatomy and Physiology (20 credits): Examines homeostasis, communication, and transport within organisms, and introduces human functional anatomy.
Understanding the Environment (20 credits): Covers Earth's natural systems, including global environment, biomes, atmosphere, climate, hydrological cycle, rock cycle, soil formation, biodiversity, human environments, and human-environment interactions.
Building Blocks of Life (20 credits): Provides an overview of cell biology and the chemical basis of the biosciences.

Level 4:

Practical Skills for Biology (20 credits): Acquires theoretical and practical knowledge of laboratory and field-based methods in modern biology, emphasizing basic laboratory techniques, equipment, ethics, and safe working practices.
Genetics and Evolution (20 credits): Explains fundamental principles in genetics and genomics and describes evolutionary processes from a genetics/genomics perspective.
Microbiology (20 credits): Provides a broad spectrum of knowledge about microorganisms and their activities.
Fundamentals of Scientific Research (20 credits): Develops research skills, covering problem solving, scientific writing, data handling, and statistical analysis.
Ecology (20 credits): Provides a basic understanding of ecology and ecological characteristics of various habitats.
Physiology (20 credits): Introduces major physiological processes and the concepts of homeostasis in various organisms.

Level 5:

Core Modules:
Research Skills and Employability (20 credits):
Diversity and Evolution of Life (20 credits): Introduces the diversity of life on Earth and explains the origin and evolution of major taxonomic groups.
Physiology of Life (20 credits): Provides a deeper knowledge of physiology, building upon Level 4 concepts and applying that knowledge in a health-related setting.
Optional Modules:
Impact of Climate Change on Biological Processes (20 credits):
Immunology and Medical Microbiology (20 credits): Introduces practical and theoretical concepts of medical microbiology and immunology.
Ecology Field Skills (20 credits): Examines standardized methods for ecological censuses and surveys in the UK.
Genes and Genomes (20 credits): Studies how genetic and genomic tools are used to understand gene-environment interactions and disease states.
Marine and Freshwater Biology (20 credits): Provides a broad introduction to fundamental aspects of marine and freshwater biology.
Developmental Biology (20 credits): Studies how molecular and genetic tools are used to understand mechanisms regulating organismal growth and development.
Sandwich Year - Biology (120 credits): Provides an extended period of work experience at an approved partner.
Study Year Abroad - Biology (120 credits): Provides an additional year of study at an approved overseas partner.
Study Semester Abroad - Biology (60 credits): Provides a semester of study at an approved overseas partner.

Level 6:

Optional Modules:
Clinical Immunology and Medical Microbiology (20 credits):
Applications of Genetics in Health and Disease (20 credits): Provides an appreciation of modern genetic and genomic techniques used in health and disease studies.
Frontiers of Ecology (20 credits): Examines contemporary research topics linked to ecology, placing them in a broader context.
Advanced Field Skills Expedition (20 credits): Provides an introduction to biological issues in ecosystems during a residential field trip abroad.
Neurobiology (20 credits): Builds upon neurobiology-related concepts taught in the Level 5 Physiology of Life module.
Parasitology (20 credits): Studies the biology, diagnosis, treatment, and control of important parasites of humans and livestock.
Applied Marine Biology (20 credits): Provides an advanced understanding of major biological features of the marine environment, human impacts, and the exploitation of marine resources.
Forensic Bioscience (20 credits): Covers the applications of biological techniques in forensic science.
Neuroendocrinology (20 credits): Covers how the endocrine and nervous systems work together to control health and disease.
Work-Based Learning (20 credits): Provides experiential learning to develop transferable skills relevant to the work environment.

Assessment:

Assessment methods vary depending on the modules but typically include a combination of exams and coursework.
Exams may include multiple choice, short answer, interpretative, problem-based learning, and essay questions.
Coursework assessment may include phase tests, fieldwork/practical reports, data handling, oral presentations, poster presentations, group discussions, essays, or evaluations of practical skills.
Feedback on coursework assessments is normally provided within three weeks of submission.

Teaching:

The program adopts an active blended learning approach, combining face-to-face and online learning.
Teaching methods include lectures, in-person laboratory practicals, field trips, and small tutorial sessions.
Students have access to a personal tutor for support and progress review meetings.
The school is committed to promoting a learning environment that supports equality, diversity, and inclusivity.

Careers:

The BSc Biology program opens up a wide range of career opportunities in various biological areas, including:
Embryology
Clinical science
Research and development laboratories
Microbiological food and water safety
Conservation organizations
Environmental agencies
Graduates may also pursue postgraduate study in fields such as human nutrition, oncology, molecular medicine, tropical medicine, and embryology.
Some graduates choose careers in teaching and lecturing.

Other:

The program is professionally accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.
LJMU has invested £6 million in state-of-the-art teaching facilities.
Students have access to first-class teaching facilities, laboratories, study areas, and the Avril Robarts library.
LJMU offers a range of support services for students, including a Disability Support Coordinator, an EDI Coordinator, and a School EDI Working Group.
The university provides opportunities for students to study abroad, complete work placements, and participate in internship programs.
LJMU's Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service offers a wide range of support to help students develop their career trajectory.

About University

Overview:

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) is a public university located in Liverpool, England. It is a large and diverse institution with a strong focus on providing high-quality education and research opportunities.

Services Offered:

LJMU offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Accommodation:

Student Support:

Library:

Student Futures:

International Student Support:

Student Life and Campus Experience:

LJMU offers a vibrant and engaging campus experience for its students. Key aspects include:

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Program Details

Intakes

Program Overview